Tracking device in bass leads seals to dinner

Catch 22: In 1984 an ocean fish hatchery was created by Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, thanks to legislation authored by former state Sen. Larry Stirling.

To assess the effectiveness of its effort to restock the coastal fishery, tiny pinging devices were inserted into the white sea bass. It wasn’t until researchers were tracking a “pinging” seal, though, that they realized local seals were using the emissions to home in on fish for dinner.

“Not good,” says Stirling.

So they conducted a test on seals at SeaWorld proving the pinnipeds could, indeed, hear the sound and were attracted to it. The problem was resolved by altering the emission frequency, explained Donald Kent, head of the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute.

This study later helped federal researchers who had implanted similar pinging devices in endangered salmon in Washington State — near a sea lion colony.

Celebrating its success, the hatchery will observe the release of its 2 millionth white sea bass Wednesday at Mission Bay.